T-Mobile USA leans on SurfKitchen to boost content sales

T-Mobile USA, the nation's No. 4 carrier, announced it will use mobile Web technology from SurfKitchen to provide subscribers with streamlined access to T-Mobile content including ringtones, games, wallpapers and other digital goodies.

The deal involves Nokia's 7510 handset, which will run SurfKitchen's software on top of Nokia's Series 40 operating system. T-Mobile introduced the mid-range flip phone early last year, though it was not available via the carrier's website late last week.

SurfKitchen CEO Michel Quazza said the company's technology boosts carriers' content sales by making it easier for subscribers to access, pay for and download digital items. Quazza said SurfKitchen customers like Telstra and Orange have enjoyed a double or tripling of content sales thanks to the company's service.

SurfKitchen's deal with T-Mobile USA, so far, centers only on the Nokia 7510. However, Quazza hinted additional phones may be added to the agreement.

Quazza declined to discuss SurfKitchen's specific financial arraignment with T-Mobile, but said the company generally earns an upfront fee for its work and then "participates in the success of the service" based on the number of active users.

In other SurfKitchen news, the company unveiled its SurfKit Mobile Internet Platform 5.0, which it said "extends support of smart browsers now available on smartphones, while also delivering greater sophistication in the management of on-device retail environments."

SurfKitchen is privately held and counts Orange, Telstra, Telefonica Moviles Espana, Maxis, and other carriers as customers. Quazza said the company is profitable, has annual revenues in the "low double-digit" millions, and is growing.

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